ARLINGTON, Texas – Dustin Nippert allowed one run while pitching into the sixth inning of a spot start for flu-ridden Vicente Padilla as the Texas Rangers completed a three-game sweep of the slumping Boston Red Sox, 3-1, on Wednesday.
David Murphy shook off flu-like symptoms with two hits for the Rangers, who swept a series against Boston for the first time since 2004.
The Red Sox have lost a season-high five straight, a streak that has knocked them out of first place in the AL East. After losing the division lead Tuesday, Boston is two games behind New York, which has won six straight after beating Baltimore on Wednesday.
Nippert (2-0) threw 94 pitches – about 25 more than manager Ron Washington had hoped for. Doug Mathis pitched the final 3 1-3 innings for his first career save. Clay Buchholz (1-1) allowed three runs and six hits over four innings.
At New York, A.J. Burnett won his fourth straight decision and Nick Swisher had a big day with his bat and glove to lead New York over Baltimore, 6-4, for its sixth consecutive victory.
Jorge Posada homered and drove in two runs and Alex Rodriguez had an RBI single as the American League East division leaders scored four times in the first inning and sent rookie Jason Berken (1-8) to his eighth loss in a row. (AP)